Falls Prevention Series: Strength & Balance
Posted on November 24, 2021
Daily physical activity and exercise have been identified as ways to help prevent falls in older adults. By doing activity that incorporates balance training, aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening exercises, you can decrease your risk of falling. These activities can also help reduce the risk of a serious injury if you do fall.
But what if you suffer from arthritis or joint pain? This may affect your participation in physical activity, and could increase your falls risk.
In this month’s Falls Prevention Series, we are exploring osteoarthritis (OA). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), OA is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 32.5 million U.S. adults. A degenerative joint disease, it affects the hands, hips and knees most often.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, “Osteoarthritis does more than make your joints sore and stiff. Damage to your knees and hips can also interfere with your balance and mobility, increasing your risk for a fall and making you more likely to fracture a bone in the process.” As such, people with OA tend to have more falls than those without OA. Having OA can decrease limb function, weaken muscles, and affect your
overall balance, especially if you have OA in your knees or hips.
What can you do if you have OA, other joint pain or balance issues? You should talk with your primary care provider (PCP) or rheumatologist about having a fall assessment. This will help identify what your risk factors are, and what you and your doctor can do to address them, such as:
- Reviewing your medications—some may have side effects that make you unsteady, like certain pain relievers.
- Fall-proofing your home—like removing tripping hazards, installing handrails and shower grab bars, and improving lighting.
- Taking vitamin D if you are deficient—your doctor can check your levels with a blood test and advise if you need a supplement.
- Getting a cane or walker for assistance.
- Exercising to strengthen muscles that support your joints and improve balance—your doctor can recommend activities that are right for your ability and condition.
- Seeing a physical therapist or participating in a falls prevention program.
Health New England’s Falls Prevention Program May Be Right for You
If you’re at risk for falling, have fallen, or have an abnormality of gait diagnosis, you may be eligible to participate in Health New England’s Falls Prevention Program for Medicare Advantage members. You’ll work directly with a qualified member of the rehabilitation team who will help to identify factors that could decrease your risk of falls, and provide you with a specialized strength and balance program.
How to Enroll: Talk to your doctor about enrolling, or call one of the participating facilities below. Your doctor will need to provide a referral for the outpatient rehabilitation services.
When calling, be sure to mention you are interested in the Health New England Falls Prevention Program.
- Baystate Rehabilitation Care (various locations) at (413) 794-5600, select option 3–Rehabilitation
- Berkshire Medical Center Outpatient Rehabilitation (Pittsfield) at (413) 447-2234
Upon program completion, the Falls Prevention rehabilitation team will submit a request on your behalf to Health New England to reimburse you for the copayments paid during your visits, up to the maximum amount. Members are required to pay their applicable copayment at the time of service. The reimbursement process can take four to six weeks.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm
https://www.arthritis.org/search/results?query=osteoarthritis
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adding-pa/activities-olderadults.htm
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